₦airaland Forum

Every street in Nigeria has a church. Some streets even have more churches than schools or hospitals. Yet, when you look around, corruption, poverty, and moral decay continue to grow every day.

It makes one wonder: if the church is supposed to be the light of the world, why does Nigeria remain in darkness despite thousands of Sunday services and crusades happening every week?

Some people argue that the problem is not the church but the people. They say Nigerians attend church but refuse to live by biblical principles.

Others say churches have become more about money, tithes, and building projects than actually transforming lives.

I wrote a full article on this here:

https://www.psalm.com.ng/Many-Churches-Little-Change-Nigeria

The question is, should we blame pastors for focusing more on prosperity messages than holiness?

Or should we blame members who only want miracles and quick breakthroughs but ignore character and integrity?

Why do we see people who pray in tongues on Sunday but cheat, lie, and steal on Monday?

Is it possible that the Nigerian church has become more of a business center than a spiritual hospital?

So, Nairalanders, what is really wrong here? Too many churches but little change, is the problem with the pulpit, the pews, or both?

They are not Churches of Christ!

In the first century the church was given a job which is to go and make disciples in all their neighborhood {Matthew 10:11-13} but what you have today are greedy rOgues in disguise {2Corinthians 11:14} producing greedy followers {Matthew 7:16-18} so what do you expect from people who has been taught to be greedy?🤔

The church mission has been wrongly applied all along, being the reason for the decay you see around. The church is not about money and prosperity but character and compassion. The church was meant to be a place of love,holiness and morality but it has been turned into a business center maybe due to greed from the managers or pressure from members who are not God fearing thereby making their pastors to cut corners to please them, remember what happened to Aaron in the bible when Moses and Joshua went to get the ten commandments, the people made Aaron to commit the sin of making the golden calf just to please them. So the solution is that the church should return back to it's actual intention and purpose just like the apostle did in Acts 4, they had everything in common and were satisfied. This is why I love The sheepfold of Christ church which is focused on restoring the value of the church to both society and humanity. If people can que into this new church idealogy with time our country will have a very strong church institution and God fearing citizens.

MaxInDHouse:
They are not Churches of Christ!

In the first century the church was given a job which is to go and make disciples in all their neighborhood {Matthew 10:11-13} but what you have today are greedy rOgues in disguise {2Corinthians 11:14} producing greedy followers {Matthew 7:16-18} so what do you expect from people who has been taught to be greedy?🤔

You raised a strong point.

Many people today feel that what we see around are not genuine churches but groups that focus more on wealth, titles, and numbers rather than true discipleship.

If we look at the early church in Acts, their focus was on teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared what they had and lived with integrity. That lifestyle itself drew people to Christ.

Today, the emphasis has shifted. When leaders chase material gain, naturally, followers will also be shaped by that same message.

As the Bible says, "by their fruits you shall know them."

But this also raises a deeper question. Are we as individuals seeking God sincerely, or are we only looking for miracles, money, and quick answers?

Sometimes the church becomes a reflection of the hearts of its members.

So yes, I agree greed is a big problem, but I think both the pulpit and the pew need to return to the core of the gospel: love, humility, and service. Without that, the name of Christ is used, but the power of Christ is missing.

Sheepfoldchurch:
The church mission has been wrongly applied all along, being the reason for the decay you see around. The church is not about money and prosperity but character and compassion. The church was meant to be a place of love,holiness and morality but it has been turned into a business center maybe due to greed from the managers or pressure from members who are not God fearing thereby making their pastors to cut corners to please them, remember what happened to Aaron in the bible when Moses and Joshua went to get the ten commandments, the people made Aaron to commit the sin of making the golden calf just to please them. So the solution is that the church should return back to it's actual intention and purpose just like the apostle did in Acts 4, they had everything in common and were satisfied. This is why I love The sheepfold of Christ church which is focused on restoring the value of the church to both society and humanity. If people can que into this new church idealogy with time our country will have a very strong church institution and God fearing citizens.

You made a very valid point. The example you gave with Aaron shows how even spiritual leaders can compromise when pressured by the people, which is exactly what we see today.


Many churches started with good intentions, but over time the focus shifted to money, numbers, and influence rather than holiness and compassion.

The truth is, the mission of the church has always been about transforming hearts and character.

In Acts, the believers lived as one family. They cared for one another, shared what they had, and lived in holiness. That was the power of the early church, not flashy buildings or prosperity messages.

But I also think the problem is two-sided. Yes, some pastors are driven by greed, but sometimes the members themselves demand blessings, miracles, and breakthroughs rather than true discipleship. Just like you said, Aaron did not fall on his own, the people pushed him.

So the solution is for both leaders and members to return to the foundation of Christ. Love, humility, and integrity should be the focus. If more churches embraced this, like the vision you mentioned with The Sheepfold of Christ Church, we would begin to see a real impact on society.

Maybe the real question is: are we ready to be that kind of church ourselves? Because true change will not come from the pulpit alone, but from every believer living as Christ intended.

Those in church are for "religious war" from the conversation of Obi and BISHOP!

MaxInDHouse:
They are not Churches of Christ!

In the first century the church was given a job which is to go and make disciples in all their neighborhood {Matthew 10:11-13} but what you have today are greedy rOgues in disguise {2Corinthians 11:14} producing greedy followers {Matthew 7:16-18} so what do you expect from people who has been taught to be greedy?🤔

The early church was indeed centered on discipleship, service, and spreading the gospel.

Their focus was not wealth or status but simply following Christ and helping others know Him.

When greed enters leadership, it naturally produces followers who reflect that same value.

Jesus already warned us that by their fruits we shall know them. This is why so many people today feel disappointed when they see churches that no longer resemble the Acts model.

But at the same time, it is important to remember that the church is not a building or a title but the people who sincerely follow Christ.

Even in the midst of excesses and abuses, God still has a remnant who are living in obedience and love.

So maybe the solution is not to dismiss all churches but to return to true discipleship, where leaders model humility and members focus on spiritual growth instead of material gain.

If the foundation returns to Christ, the fruits will naturally change.

Psalmcomng:
The early church was indeed centered on discipleship, service, and spreading the gospel.

Their focus was not wealth or status but simply following Christ and helping others know Him.

When greed enters leadership, it naturally produces followers who reflect that same value.

Jesus already warned us that by their fruits we shall know them. This is why so many people today feel disappointed when they see churches that no longer resemble the Acts model.

But at the same time, it is important to remember that the church is not a building or a title but the people who sincerely follow Christ.

Even in the midst of excesses and abuses, God still has a remnant who are living in obedience and love.

So maybe the solution is not to dismiss all churches but to return to true discipleship, where leaders model humility and members focus on spiritual growth instead of material gain.

If the foundation returns to Christ, the fruits will naturally change.

Most people think the fruit of Christianity is niceness but that's a lie because niceness could be found in virtually all the religions on planet earth.

The only FRUIT Christianity produced is people who go out in pairs {Luke 10:1} to preach and teach what their founder taught them in their neighborhood {Matthew 10:11-13} as they are looking for friends of peace! Luke 10:6

So no matter how a religion is branded as long as members are not compelled to doing this that religion is not producing the FRUIT expected of Jesus' followers! Act 1:8

Maximus692:
Most people think the fruit of Christianity is niceness but that's a lie because niceness could be found in virtually all the religions on planet earth.

The only FRUIT Christianity produced is people who go out in pairs {Luke 10:1} to preach and teach what their founder taught them in their neighborhood {Matthew 10:11-13} as they are looking for friends of peace! Luke 10:6

So no matter how a religion is branded as long as members are not compelled to doing this that religion is not producing the FRUIT expected of Jesus' followers! Act 1:8

You’ve made an interesting point. It is true that Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs to preach and teach, and Acts 1:8 reminds us that believers are called to be witnesses.

Evangelism and spreading the gospel are definitely core parts of Christian fruit.

At the same time, Scripture also shows that the fruit of following Christ includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

These are not limited to evangelism but are evidence of the Spirit’s work in a believer’s life.

So perhaps it is not either-or. Preaching the gospel is essential, but so is living out the character of Christ.

When people see both the message and the lifestyle, it becomes a complete witness.

In fact, some of the strongest evangelism comes not only from preaching with words but from demonstrating Christ’s love through our actions, just as the early church did when they shared what they had and cared for the needy.

Because the church is not the building but the mind of the individual. We have abandoned the mind and spirit of the individual and focused on the business centre of the fraudsters masquerading as men of God.

Psalmcomng:
You’ve made an interesting point. It is true that Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs to preach and teach, and Acts 1:8 reminds us that believers are called to be witnesses.

Evangelism and spreading the gospel are definitely core parts of Christian fruit.

At the same time, Scripture also shows that the fruit of following Christ includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

These are not limited to evangelism but are evidence of the Spirit’s work in a believer’s life.

So perhaps it is not either-or. Preaching the gospel is essential, but so is living out the character of Christ.

When people see both the message and the lifestyle, it becomes a complete witness.

In fact, some of the strongest evangelism comes not only from preaching with words but from demonstrating Christ’s love through our actions, just as the early church did when they shared what they had and cared for the needy.

Galatians 5:22-23 isn't talking about one believer because it's impossible for any person to exhibit the nine qualities as we are imperfect humans fallen short of the glory of God {Romans 3:23} but at the same time you can see one or two of these qualities in people in all religions because we were created in God's image! Genesis 1:26

So what is Paul saying?

In the gathering of true worshipers the nine qualities will be complete when you observe their gathering because God's holy spirit is permeating the gathering of true worshipers of God.

So even though the qualities can't be complete in any human now but God's holy spirit will control imperfect humans from different nations to unanimously exhibit the whole qualities because God's holy spirit is in control not flesh and blood!

MaxInDHouse:
Galatians 5:22-23 isn't talking about one believer because it's impossible for any person to exhibit the nine qualities as we are imperfect humans fallen short of the glory of God {Romans 3:23} but at the same time you can see one or two of these qualities in people in all religions because we were created in God's image! Genesis 1:26

So what is Paul saying?

In the gathering of true worshipers the nine qualities will be complete when you observe their gathering because God's holy spirit is permeating the gathering of true worshipers of God.

So even though the qualities can't be complete in any human now but God's holy spirit will control imperfect humans from different nations to unanimously exhibit the whole qualities because God's holy spirit is in control not flesh and blood!

Thank you for your perspective. I see where you are coming from, but I understand Galatians 5:22-23 differently.

Paul was speaking about the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of God’s work in the life of a believer.


While none of us can be perfect, the Spirit is capable of producing all nine qualities in an individual over time as they grow in Christ.

For example, in John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”

This shows that the fruit is not about human effort or group dynamics but about the Spirit working in each believer personally.

Yes, we are imperfect, but the Spirit’s role is to transform us day by day (2 Corinthians 3:18).

So the fruit of the Spirit is both individual and collective, not limited to the congregation alone.

Psalmcomng:
Thank you for your perspective. I see where you are coming from, but I understand Galatians 5:22-23 differently.

Paul was speaking about the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of God’s work in the life of a believer.


While none of us can be perfect, the Spirit is capable of producing all nine qualities in an individual over time as they grow in Christ.

For example, in John 15:5 Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”

This shows that the fruit is not about human effort or group dynamics but about the Spirit working in each believer personally.

Yes, we are imperfect, but the Spirit’s role is to transform us day by day (2 Corinthians 3:18).

So the fruit of the Spirit is both individual and collective, not limited to the congregation alone.

The highlighted is exactly what the Bible calls 1,000 years reign of Christ when imperfect humans grow to perfection {Revelations 20:5-6} undisturbed by Satan the one misleading the entire inhabited earth. Revelations 12:9

So we will all grow to perfection but let's know that until then we must continue to associate with believers where we are encouraged to continue living by what we are learning! Hebrews 10:24-25

MaxInDHouse:
The highlighted is exactly what the Bible calls 1,000 years reign of Christ when imperfect humans grow to perfection {Revelations 20:5-6} undisturbed by Satan the one misleading the entire inhabited earth. Revelations 12:9

So we will all grow to perfection but let's know that until then we must continue to associate with believers where we are encouraged to continue living by what we are learning! Hebrews 10:24-25

I understand your point about the future reign of Christ and the hope of perfection then.

But I believe the fruit of the Spirit is not something we are only waiting for in the 1,000 years reign.

Paul wrote Galatians 5:22–23 to living believers in his own time, encouraging them to walk by the Spirit and show these qualities in their daily lives.

Of course, we are not perfect, but the Spirit still produces love, joy, peace, patience and the rest in individuals even now as evidence of God’s work in them.

That’s why Paul contrasted the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21) with the fruit of the Spirit in the present, not in the distant future.

So yes, perfection will come later, but transformation through the Spirit is already happening in believers today.

Psalmcomng:
I understand your point about the future reign of Christ and the hope of perfection then.
But I believe the fruit of the Spirit is not something we are only waiting for in the 1,000 years reign.
Paul wrote Galatians 5:22–23 to living believers in his own time, encouraging them to walk by the Spirit and show these qualities in their daily lives.
Of course, we are not perfect, but the Spirit still produces love, joy, peace, patience and the rest in individuals even now as evidence of God’s work in them.
That’s why Paul contrasted the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21) with the fruit of the Spirit in the present, not in the distant future.
So yes, perfection will come later, but transformation through the Spirit is already happening in believers today.

The works of flesh is what the world has been promoting so it's dragging billions of people along to destruction but the nine qualities of God's holy spirit is direct opposite of the works of flesh.

So even though Paul encouraged the true Christians back then to cultivate the qualities of that fruit he himself said it's not easy for imperfect humans to do so you can only continue striving but only two or three is possible now while each Christian fights with the flesh! Romans 7:15-25